Send us a text Ka Man Parkinson is joined by Lucy Hall from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Madigan Johnson from Data Friendly Space to discuss a landmark joint survey on AI adoption in the humanitarian sector. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is currently being used, what future potential it holds, and why this research is so vital. No matter where you are in the humanitarian eco-system - whether you're an early adopter or new to AI - your voice is essential in shap...

Send us a text How can academic research shape humanitarian action? This is the question at the heart of today's insightful discussion between two Education in Emergencies (EiE) colleagues from Save the Children International. Casey Pearson (EiE Technical Learning Specialist) sits down with Rafka Daoud (EiE Professional Development Programme Manager) to explore the critical connections between education, training and research, drawing on insights from Rafka’s recent doctoral research in...

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode, Ka Man Parkinson speaks to Dr Cornelia C. Walther to hear her expert take on the implications of AI for humanitarians - and the actions we can take today to keep abreast of developments. Cornelia's experience positions her as an insightful and authoritative thought leader in this space: a former humanitarian leader with over 20 years of experience at UNICEF, she is now a Wharton/University of Pennsylvania fellow pioneering research on hybrid i...

Send us a text How can you shape a meaningful and purpose-driven career in the humanitarian sector and beyond? Tune in to this episode to glean insights from Ana Lucia Villagran, a Learning Solutions Specialist at HLA’s Latin America and Caribbean Regional Centre from Guatemala, and Selim Uysal, an independent humanitarian consultant and trainer from Türkiye, now based in Germany. Ana Lucia and Selim share their personal journeys of discovering purpose in their careers that have s...

Send us a text To celebrate World Poetry Day 2025, we explore the power of creative expression for forging connections and inspiring action within our communities and beyond. The HLA's Ka Man Parkinson connects with two inspiring members of Poetic Unity, Tariq Brown and Blaize Alexis-Anglin, who performed powerful pieces at the inaugural Humanitarian Xchange event in London in February 2024. One year later, we welcome them back to share new works and to hear their advice for how we can ...

Send us a text "The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." When Natasha Nishimwe (Save the Children International) stepped into a new role in a global team, she felt like an imposter. But by taking action through coaching, she unlocked her confidence, overcame self-doubt and stepped into new professional opportunities. Guided by Charlotte Balfour-Poole, Head of Coaching at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, Natasha’s story is a powerful example of how coaching can help h...

Send us a text In this two-part podcast, Ka Man Parkinson sits down with coaching expert Charlotte Balfour-Poole to explore the transformative power of coaching in the humanitarian sector. In the first episode, discover key coaching tools for managing wellbeing, building resilience, and unlocking personal and professional growth. Charlotte leads a flash coaching session, and Natasha Nishimwe from Save the Children shares how coaching helped her overcome self-doubt and thrive. Tune in for part...

Send us a text In this episode, we continue talking about youth participation in humanitarian and civic action. We discuss how youth can and should be involved in crisis response, humanitarian action, and development. Hear from participants of the Youth Leadership for Emerging Future programme Miro Béreš and Maria Andruchiw, as well as Kacper Rynio, the HLA's Programme Officer in Eastern Europe Regional Centre. About speakers: Kacper Rynio works as the HLA Programme Officer in Pol...

Send us a text 24 February 2025 marks the third anniversary of the escalation of the armed conflict in Ukraine. In this conversation, we focus on lessons learnt from these three years of delivering humanitarian response with the goal to support and strengthen locally-led action. Oksana Dobrovolska, Communications Officer at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy (the HLA), talks with Kamila Wujec, Leadership Pillar Lead at the HLA, and our former Regional Lead in Eastern Europe; Piotr Kolodzej, ...

Send us a text As we mark the second anniversary of the Türkiye-Syria earthquake response, this podcast episode is dedicated to reflections, lessons learnt, and remaining challenges. Oksana Dobrovolska, Communications Officer at the HLA, hosts a conversation with Bdour Ghousheh, the HLA Regional Lead in the Middle East and North Africa, and Samantha Davis, the HLA Deputy Director for Learning and Programmes. The discussion touches on personal experiences responding to the disaster, the essen...

Send us a textWhat does it take to build a career that spans continents, sectors, and some of the world’s most pressing challenges? In this episode, the HLA’s Ka Man Parkinson is joined by Kate Beale, Managing Director at Crowell Global Advisors, who shares her extraordinary journey from grassroots work in Paraguay to influencing global policy in Washington DC. In this exclusive interview for Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives, Kate shares her experiences on: How her college prof...

Send us a textIn this episode, we take you on a deep dive exploration of a transformative programme designed to address the unique challenges faced by women working in the education context in crisis affected communities across Pakistan. We published the initial story of the training as it happened, and in this episode we present an audio journey of this initiative by sharing voices from the training room and beyond. Ka Man Parkinson (HLA Communications and Marketing Specialist) takes us behi...

Send us a textA principios de octubre de 2024, el equipo de HLA en América Latina y el Caribe, junto con 4 organizaciones locales y Save the Children International, se embarcaron en un emocionante viaje: empoderar a los jóvenes en Perú. Ir más allá del fortalecimiento de capacidades para ofrecer una oportunidad que potencialmente pueda cambiar la vida de ocho jóvenes graduados de diversos campos de trabajo, con un interés común en el campo humanitario.En este episodio, escuchamos directamente...

Send us a textIn this episode, we focus on Youth Leadership and talk about the importance of youth participation. On the Youth Leadership for Emerging Future programme example, we discuss how youth can and should be involved in crisis response, humanitarian action, and development. The participants shared about the challenges they identified and how they addressed them while working on their projects. You will hear from Agnieszka PŁoska, Youth Changemaking Manager at Ashoka Poland, and V...

Send us a textWith the global mental health crisis affecting one in four people – and nearly everyone within communities impacted by crisis including conflict and disasters – the need for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is more urgent than ever.In this episode, Ka Man Parkinson holds a candid conversation with Marie Dahl and Dr Victor Ugo from The MHPSS Collaborative. Marie and Victor share honest reflections on the challenges they face with their work, while passionately setti...

Send us a textIn this episode - part two of our deep dive exploration of humanitarian learning in 2024 - we continue the insightful conversation with passionate learning advocates Janet Nyaoro, Eleonora Aralla and Neba Ambe Azinui.In the first instalment of this conversation, Humanitarian learning in 2024: perspectives from Africa, the trio discuss the nature of and trends in humanitarian learning and training, and share their own rich on-the-ground professional and personal experiences.In th...

Send us a textIn this episode - the first instalment of our two-part series - we explore current trends in humanitarian learning with a special focus on Africa. We sit down with three passionate advocates of learning in all forms: Janet Nyaoro (HLA East and Southern Africa Regional Centre), Eleonora Aralla (CAFOD Zimbabwe and Eswatini) and Neba Ambe Azinui (Grace Charitable and Rehabilitation Organisation, Cameroon).In this insightful conversation centred on learning, our guests share their o...

Send us a textFeminist Leadership - a not-so-widely known or understood term. What is Feminist Leadership? What does it actually mean? Is its meaning simply implied in its name? Listen to this insightful conversation led by Rachel O'Brien, Director of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA).Rachel is joined by two mavens on this topic: Srilatha Batliwala, Feminist Activist and Archie Law, Principal Leadership Advisor at the HLA to break down and define Feminist Leadership - what does i...

Send us a textHear Bidjan Nashat, tech entrepreneur and seasoned humanitarian leader, speak candidly on the challenges and opportunities in advancing localisation within the humanitarian sector.In this open and informative conversation with the HLA's Ka Man Parkinson, Bidjan critiques current localisation debates and advocates for practical, actionable steps to drive meaningful change. Discover his views on the transformative potential of cash transfers, anticipatory action, and the cri...

Send us a textIn this episode, we are focusing on locally-led humanitarian research. On the SHIFT programme example and reflecting on our partnerships with researchers in Ukraine and Poland, we discuss how local specialists are and should be involved in data collection, analysis, and research design.Tune in to hear from Maryana Zaviyska, Chief of Project Portfolio at Open Space Works, a Ukrainian female-led private social change enterprise, Myroslava Keryk, President of Ukrainian House ...